What Contributions Do Spiders Make to Ecosystems and to Humans?

Spiders have long carried a reputation that evokes fear, yet from a biological perspective they are in fact among the most underestimated organisms on Earth. More than 53,000 spider species have been formally described worldwide, while the actual number of species is estimated to exceed 120,000. Their diversity is astonishing. Some species measure less than half a millimeter in body length, whereas giant tarantulas may reach leg spans of up to 30 centimeters. Because spiders occur almost everywhere and possess remarkable adaptability, the services they provide within ecosystems are extensive. They help regulate pest populations, influence nutrient cycling, provide habitat structures, and serve as food resources for other organisms. Despite these important roles, their contributions are frequently overlooked, often dismissed because spiders trigger fear in many people. Yet if we wish to understand how natural systems function—or even draw inspiration from nature to solve human challenges—spiders cannot be ignored.

The contributions of spiders can be divided into four main categories: provisioning, regulating, supporting, and cultural（圖片來源：Cardoso P et al. (2025)，採用 CC BY 4.0 授權）

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